What a Rebound

We figured out the best way to get the medicine (Thanks Dr. Johann Hsu – not sure how those names fit together). We went to the playroom TWICE to place Wii, air hockey and some pool (thanks go to my PhD student John Lewis for going with us). He laughed. He walked the halls. His brother and sister drove him around in the hospital, including down to the cafe. He told jokes to the doctors and had them in stitches. He visited with his grandparents, telling them everything that had gone on during the day. He was a new kid.

We know that will be his, and our, life for some time. One terrible day followed by a good one followed by a miserable one. But this trek is a marathon. There will times when we burn with pain mixed in with times of elation and joy. What we’ve always had in life — both good times and bad — will now happen in the extreme.

So after such a good day, we face a potentially difficult one today. At 10:00 AM EST, Harrison will have his next chemo treatment. The medicine today is the strongest he’ll have, and this is the only time he’ll have it. They will slowly push it over a FOUR HOUR period, otherwise they would burn his vein and heart. He will be monitored continuously for fear of a deadly allergic reaction. They told us not to worry when they put the crash cart beside his bed before they start. Don’t worry? Oh, no problem, we’ll just turn that part of us off for a few hours.

After the chemo they’ll monitor him for another 2 or 3 hours.

This. is. scary.

We believe God accomplishes his will through the prayers of his people. There are currently people in every time zone around the world who are praying at 1:00 every day (their local time) for Harrison. Meaning, of course, that every hour on the hour someone is interceding for my little man. God hears our prayers and answers. And he is kind, good, and merciful. Thank you for seeking his face on behalf of my son.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

(Romans 8:18-30 ESV)

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10 Comments on “What a Rebound”

Dan and I are praying for you and Ginger are praying that Christ’s comfort will be so intimate to you and to Harrison right now that words just can’t explain it. I’m praying that God continues to give you the strength and wisdom and boldness as you blog on here this journey. One day when Harrison is older what a blessing to have this first hand account of what God was doing in his little body and in his family written by his dad. Thanks for sharing with us and letting us lift you guys up.

Hello. I’m a student at Southeastern and my daughter was diagnosed with the same cancer this past April (she is only 2). We are doing treatments at Duke. Your posts have reminded me of the awful first month of treatments and adjusting to such a devastating disease. I can’t help but cry with you guys. It is so hard. Sin is so destructive…I hate it! I still do. I’m praying for you and you son. May God grant you the grace to glorify and enjoy him in the mist of suffering.

As I ponder, worry, pray and cry, I cannot imagine the pain and agony; however, we know Jesus Christ paid the ultimate agony for us; therefore He can rescue, comfort and provide peace. Some years ago, I was the Chairman of the corporate campaign for Leukemia Society in Mobile County. When I was Gov Al Dis Pilot Club, I was on TV donating $100,000 to St. Jude’s Hospital. Each year at our International Convention, we have parents of those receiving help from St. Jude’s giving their Journey Through Leukemia. It is a charted course. Never would I realize the true feelings of how I would feel if MY FAMILY experienced this. Now I know. As a social worker dealing with patients and families, it is never “fair”. God blesses us by providing us the strength and faith to endure all. God has blessed our family with having a strong support system which includes friends and our church families.

The entire Smith family is praying for all of you. I have set my cell phone to remind me each day at 1:00 to stop and pray for Harrison, but of course he is in my thoughts and prayers throughout the entire day.

Hey my brother, I have every confidence that the Gospel will go forth in even more power as you, your wife, and Harrison call upon God’s grace. You WILL make it through this. Never thought the lowest point would be the best….amazing grace. The pain you have now will redound to His glory forever. I cannot but imagine the stress to one’s person in all this. Makes all we teach and the presence of the One who saved us all the more special. Love you all. I hear the depth of your heart cry and will do the best I can to enter into that so I can properly intercede. Mike

We are lifting Harrison and your whole family up in prayer daily! Our prayer is that God will grant healing to Harrison! We pray he will give you all the strength you need to continue this journey through! God Bless you and your family Dr. McKinion and keep you all in his loving care!!